Abstract | OBJECTIVES: METHODS: Seventeen treatment-refractory patients participating in the Stanley Foundation Bipolar Network (SFBN) long-term follow-up study were offered open treatment with add-on tiagabine after discussion of the risks, benefits, other treatment options and giving informed consent. Patients' clinical symptoms and somatic complaints were closely monitored with SFBN longitudinal and cross-sectional ratings. Four patients discontinued low-dose tiagabine prior to the second visit and were excluded from data analysis. RESULTS: Thirteen patients received a mean of 38 days of treatment at a mean dose of 8.7 mg/day of tiagabine. On the Clinical Global Impression Scale for Bipolar Disorder Overall category, three (23%) patients showed much or very much improvement and 10 (77%) patients showed no change or worsening. Three significant adverse events were noted, including two presumptive seizures. CONCLUSIONS: Open add-on tiagabine for treatment-refractory patients with bipolar disorder demonstrated limited efficacy with the majority of patients showing no change or worsening of clinical symptoms. In addition, patients experienced serious side-effects attributed as likely due to the medication, which resolved without lasting consequence when tiagabine was discontinued.
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Authors | Trisha Suppes, Karrie A Chisholm, Dawn Dhavale, Mark A Frye, Lori L Altshuler, Susan L McElroy, Paul E Keck, Willem A Nolen, Ralph Kupka, Kirk D Denicoff, Gabrielle S Leverich, A John Rush, Robert M Post |
Journal | Bipolar disorders
(Bipolar Disord)
Vol. 4
Issue 5
Pg. 283-9
(Oct 2002)
ISSN: 1398-5647 [Print] Denmark |
PMID | 12479659
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Antidepressive Agents
- Nipecotic Acids
- Tiagabine
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Topics |
- Adult
- Antidepressive Agents
(administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
- Bipolar Disorder
(diagnosis, drug therapy)
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
- Drug Administration Schedule
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Humans
- Male
- Nipecotic Acids
(administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
- Prospective Studies
- Tiagabine
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